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Abstract

Infection of Mel in imparts two signature features that enable its application for biocontrol of dengue. First, the susceptibility of mosquitoes to viruses such as dengue and Zika is reduced. Second, a reproductive manipulation is caused that enables Mel introgression into wild-type mosquito populations. The long-term success of this method relies, in part, on evolution of the Mel genome not compromising the critical features that make it an attractive biocontrol tool. This study compared the Mel genome at the time of initial releases and 1–7 years post-release in Cairns, Australia. Our results show the Mel genome remains highly conserved up to 7 years post-release in gene sequence, content, synteny and structure. This work suggests the Mel genome is stable in its new mosquito host and, therefore, provides reassurance on the potential for Mel to deliver long-term public-health impacts.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Australian Government Research Training Program
    • Principle Award Recipient: KimberleyDainty
  • Wellcome Trust (Award 212914/Z/18/B)
    • Principle Award Recipient: ScottO'Neill
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (Award 1132412)
    • Principle Award Recipient: O'NeillScott L.SimmonsCameron P.
  • This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. This article was made open access via a Publish and Read agreement between the Microbiology Society and the corresponding author’s institution.
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2021-09-01
2024-03-29
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